Published 12:00 am, Wednesday, June 16, 2010

MIDDLETOWN -- An intoxicated Cromwell man was arrested during Tuesday's grand opening celebration at Price Chopper for stripping down to his underwear and threatening to kill employees who attempted to escort him from the premises.

Police responded to a disturbance complaint at the newly-opened supermarket around 3 p.m. Witnesses say a man, later identified as Robert Cialeglio, 49, was causing a scene. Cialeglio, who police described as intoxicated, was allegedly acting disorderly at the store opening.

Employees at the store say Cialeglio was in front of the store asking customers to "(expletive) dance with him" and then the suspect proceeded to strip down to his underwear, police said.

When store employees tried to remove Cialeglio he allegedly became belligerent, saying things like, "When I get a chance I'm going to bash both of your (expletive) heads in," and "I'm going to kick your (expletive) and I'm going to (expletive) kill you," according to police. He also attempted to hit the employees who tried to restrain him until police arrived.

Officers caught up to the suspect in front of Home Depot, which is adjacent to Price Chopper. Cialeglio was loud and alarming to customers at that location also, police said.

As police were transporting Cialeglio to headquarters, he told officers that he was going to bash in the head of those "Price Chopper guys," according to the arrest report.

During the booking process, he was uncooperative and told police he was going to shoot them.

Cialeglio was charged with breach of peace, disorderly conduct, trespassing, attempt to commit third-degree assault, second-degree threatening and refusal to be fingerprinted and photographed.

He also told officers he was going to be released from custody on a promise to appear because he never fails to show up in court, according to the arrest report.

Cialeglio was wrong.

Judge Elpedio Vitale set bond at $5,000 and ordered him to stay away from Price Chopper and Home Depot. He also ordered the suspect to stay away from the two employees he allegedly threatened.

Cialeglio has an extensive criminal history, police said, including arrests for breach of peace, criminal mischief, illegal discharge of a firearm, larceny, burglary and probation violation.

He returns to court June 30.

The town's first Price Chopper, a 60,000-square-foot, 24-hour grocery store, officially opened its doors Tuesday. The Middletown location is the eighth Price Chopper to open in Connecticut.